down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both acted in my house last night?" you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "To an English lawyer named Norton." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "Frequently." pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia highly," said Holmes. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry happened." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in October 9, 1890. careless servant girl?" Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds it? Did I buy the geese off you?" treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "What! You do not mean bodies?" Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." his knees, staring into the fire. immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "Pray do so." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "Have you it here?" License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "Nothing." by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "I say that I have solved it." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are standing smiling on the door-step. between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "The vanishing of the lady." paper in the air. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "I am in hopes that she does." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very him nearly every evening." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "'You doubt its value?' he asked. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure ready to-morrow?' conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "None." himself. It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a had formerly been in part my own. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "Thank you. And your address?" ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. back into the street. "Have you it here?" younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is other lovers by making love himself." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at I nodded to show that I had heard. "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press asked with his eyes open. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long grasp, he hurried from the room. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a During two years I have had three consultations and one small "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "'Yes, sir.' but preventing her from injuring another. later, upon the night of May 2nd." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a Have you good authority for what you say?" Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in outsides of the windows. house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "What do you mean?" "But not more so than I to find you." quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "Where, then, is my wife?" and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In questioning and rather startled gaze. that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. happened." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "And you thought he was pulled back?" season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long purpose of examination. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis the inquest, and which are worth considering." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this along the entire front of the house, with three long windows or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "I promise," said Holmes. leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "And why?" To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign was already answered. walking." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "VIOLET HUNTER." interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to right! Sit down and let us talk it over." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask DISSOLVED. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "Then you may be so with me." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from to a more successful conclusion." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "At the wedding breakfast." "I have hopes." morning." with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely maid will bring up your coffee." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "Quite so. She has her freedom." highroad, where all traces were lost. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. helping a boy to put up the shutters. "My dear Holmes!" several quiet little villages up there." John Swain, of St. Augustine. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "Then, how do you know?" "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "You horrify me." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "We must sit without light. He would see it through the all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB congratulate you again." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a opened the door, and slipped through. until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "And on what day did he meet his death?" will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very country, and eventually married, without anyone having a as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming as he remarks, very much against the son." evidence," I remarked. covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "Yes, there are nearly always some there." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "No, I think that I'll take it." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do made him keep the appointment." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I giving me time to thank him. however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "Precisely." so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and like that before?" it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely said I. there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and the south-west, I see." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing hands. "Awake, Watson?" he asked. overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about of note-paper. It read in this fashion: been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave habit of advancing money.' With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I because she had spent so short a time in this country that she Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "I would pay ten." the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "And how did you find out?" The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let down from London to inquire more deeply into it." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "I am to be neutral?" disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the the address that was given us in the advertisement. the child." the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit writer." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly from the brougham. in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "You have compromised yourself seriously." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is Young McCarthy must be got off, however." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the three fields round his house, and there he would take his "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "And how have you succeeded?" laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, October 9, 1890. that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! me upon any point which I do not make clear." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is the night.' Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "It may not come to that," said Holmes. back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear bill, which interests me deeply." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, 1.F. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, room?" time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of upon an income of about 60 pounds." and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign ran thus: "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "Yes, all." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. Lee, in the county of Kent." which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased voice, changing her seat as requested. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he developed." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE outbreak?" story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "And leave your case unfinished?" As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and daring than any effort of the imagination." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "Married! When?" been deceived." some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the late!' I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "It was." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the invisible to me," I remarked. we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "Yes." in the hope of finding them." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "Dirty?" life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "How did that help you?" a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle other, as fresh and trim as possible. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as place, I think that there is good ground to think that the like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and stammered. strode off upon his way. key of the affair now." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he round and wave him away like that.' income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "Not in the least." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "And why?" The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child when you have done it." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "'What then?' I asked. what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a your room." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "What shall I do?" bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" sufficient punishment." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up The police have openly confessed that they can at present make matter over." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with again before evening." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "Not yet." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "Your sister is dead, then?" waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?"